COUPONING 101:
First of all, find out what stores in your area double coupons! Many stores double coupons upto $.99- combining sale items with a coupon that will be doubled in value is the easiest way to make major savings, or get free items!
Next, go
HERE to find out what your area stores coupon policies are. For instance, at Meijer stores near me, they will only double 2 of the same coupon per transaction. So if I'm using 4 of the same $.50/off coupons, I will ask them to ring 2 in one order and 2 in a separate order to maximize my savings. If you're not familiar with your store's policies, you will lose out! Also, its nice because every once in awhile, you get a cashier who will be annoyed that you're getting so much for so little- and try to "make their own rules" regarding coupons- if you know the store's policy, you can politely explain that to them. MOST cashiers I've come across tend to be impressed with my savings rather than annoyed, but every once in awhile, you get someone who is grumpy.
Next, I go through my stores ads each week and use
THIS database to matchup sale items with coupons that are available. This is why I say NOT to cut all your coupons! You'll notice that they list (in the description) something like 3/14 SS. This means that the coupon for the item you are looking for is in the March 14th SmartSource insert. So, rather than fumbling through all your precut coupons (some that you'll never use)- now you just go to that insert, find the coupon cut, place in an envelpe for your trip to the store and you're off. Saves time, trust me! Also in this database, you'll notice a "source" column. Most of the coupons I get are from "insert" meaning usually Sunday paper insert. SS= SmartSource RP= RedPlum P&G= Protor and Gamble insert. "printable" means you can click the link to print from your computer. Peelie means its a coupon that was on the product in the store to peel off the front. Blinkie means it was a coupon dispenser located near the product in the store. Keep your eyes peeled for these extra coupons when you're out and about! You do NOT have to use them at the time you take from the blinkie- you can save and even use at a different store. I usually collect a few, then save and hope to pair when the item goes on sale later or at a different store.
Next trick is, when a store has a product on sale, that matches with a coupon for good savings, I stock up! I would suggest buying 5-6 papers each sunday. That way, when you can get a good deal on an item you'll use- you can stock up with 5-6 of them and that hopefully will last you until the item goes on sale again. So, for instance this week at Giant Eagle Ronzoni Healthy Harvest pasta is on sale for $1.50. There were $.75/off coupons in the paper a few weeks ago. Because Giant Eagle doubles coupons, this will make it free pasta! Since I have 6 inserts from that week, that means I get 6 free boxes instead of just one since I bought more than one paper! I have found it to be well worth the extra $$ invested in the paper! You might also ask your carrier if they have extra inserts- maybe offer a little "extra" tip for some extra inserts each week.
Finally, I purchase coupons online!! I use
ebay and
Coupon Dede (although there are others for sure) to buy coupons for products that I know are likely to go on sale to combine these coupons with for great savings! For instance, right now, she has coupons for $1/off ANY Nestle nesquick product. The little jugs of milk often go on sale for $1- which would make these free after coupon! So, I'll order some, pay about $.07/each and then use later when on sale for free milk!
SOOOO those are my "basics"!!! If you have questions, shoot me an email!!
Many asked about my $.17 shopping trip today...last week I did the lunchables deal (see my blog post from last week) and got loads of $1/off your next shopping trip coupons after my FREE lunchables...I used those today for free meat and produce AND used some $.35/1 totinos pizza rolls coupons I had...pizza rolls are on sale for $1. After my coupon doubled, I was getting the pizza rolls for $.30/box...then again, used some the $1/off next shopping order coupons...basically my original total was $43, the scanned my Giant Eagle card, used my regular coupons- then my total was $20.17 (still more than 50% savings)...and THEN used the $1/off next order coupons to bring my total to $.17. That's how you do it, combine deals, roll previous coupons into new deals...its an art! Start simple, save a little, learn a little- you'll be saving BIG before you know it!
Good luck!
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Old Navy is having a sale on ALL Clearance items! Today and tomorrow ONLY (5/28-5/29) take an additional 50% off of all clearance items!
Use THIS coupon for $1/off any BIC Stationary product. Many stores offer the small packs of pens for $1. With this coupon, score some FREEBIES!! (remember you can print 2 per computer).
BETTER THAN FREE!
BATH AND BODY WORKS!
Have a prescription to fill? In the Target weekly ad, there is a coupon for a $10 gift card with ANY new OR transferred prescritpion.
This is a regular, non-sale, on-going freebie at Giant Eagle that I thought I'd post for the beginners. These are regular shelf priced at $.99/each. Use the $.50/off coupon from the 3/14 RP insert OR the same coupon from the 4/25 SS to get FREE bandages!
Buy 1 package of Nabisco cookies and 1 Gallon of Milk and get a 2nd package of Nabisco cookies free with THIS coupon. Good through 5/21. COUPON AVAILABLE TODAY ONLY 5/3/10!
In SOME regions (hopefully Columbus is one of them!) there will be $4/off Nivea bodywash coupons in this Sunday's paper. Target and Walmart often have these products for $4 or less, making them FREE!
FREE Bath and Body works sample product ($5 value) with ANY purchase through 5/19/10. 
Through 5/26/10, get a FREE LIP GLOSS (with this coupon) with any Victoria Secret purchase.
There is a valuable $2/off coupon available if you "like" Oscar Mayer on facebook HERE. This will make for cheap or free lunch meat, particularly if you can wait to match it with a sale. Once you "like" Oscar Mayer, the coupon will appear.
